[exoticbetty3]

I am in a joint lease with another girl and I have moved out-of-state. I read the lease and also talked to the landlord and I am allowed to sub-lease my room. The only problem is, the other girl refuses anyone I try to get to sub-lease there. I also am still stuck paying half of the electric & gas bills, even though I am not there to use these utilities. The electric is in my name & when I tried to get her to put it in her name, she refused and tried to threaten me about me getting fined from the landlord. What am I supposed to do?

[ScottGem]

First, If the landlord says you can sublkease your room, then the roommate has NO say in the matter. You do not have to get her approval.

Second, tell her that you are stopping the electricity effective x data (give her 5 business days). Tell her if she doesn't transfer the electricity by that time, they will shut it off.

The landlord can't "fine" you unless there is something in the lease. And I can't see what they would fine you about. While it would be illegal for a landlord to shut off electricity to harass a tenant, that's not what is happening here. You don't live there and you can tell the electric company to shut off your account. As long as you give the former roomie notice, you are within your rights.